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New Criteria for House Girdle Awards and Affirmations

posted 20 Feb 2017, 12:05 by Debbie Stevens

House Girdle Awards are awards designed to recognise effort across all subjects studied. Traditionally they were presented to Years 9-13 students who exhibited a positive attitude toward learning, demonstrated a capacity for hard work, advanced the goals of the class through contributions, and modelled persistence and a commitment to producing their own best work. This esteemed girdle that is, a belt or sash, was presented to Dio girls as recognition for excellence in a variety of areas and was tied around their waists over their gym frocks.

2016 saw a yearlong robust review of House Girdles, which involved staff and student feedback and forward to ensure the award met the needs and aspirations of our current school community and culture. As a result, the criteria for House Girdles have been updated to incorporate a commitment to our special character, sports and arts as well as our code of conduct specifically our dress code.

Feedback from Student Council Reps last year indicated that the end of year academic award ceremonies for senior students such as the Academic Excellence and Endeavour Assembly, Arts Awards, Sports Awards and Prize-giving were sufficient opportunities in which those attributes rewarded by House Girdles are recognised. Therefore, House Girdles are now only presented once a year for Years 11, 12 and 13 students.

We will continue to review this new criteria and process during the year.

Works to maximise their learning through participation and contribution (This may include asking for clarification, attending tutorials, seeking and acting on feedback, taking up enrichment/ extension opportunities)

Exemplary behaviour that enhances classroom learning

Exemplary standard of homework, classwork submitted on time

Attendance in class is at least 90%

2.CHAPLAIN VIA MID-YEAR ATTENDANCE RECORDS:

Attends House Services

3.FORM TEACHER/DEAN:

Wears uniform with pride and abides by dress code guidelines

4.SPORTS/ARTS DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION:

Demonstrates commitment to extra-curricular activities

AFFIRMATION CHANGES 2017

Affirmations are a special award presented by staff to students as a positive affirmation or reinforcement of a pleasing result, effort, service or other worthy purpose. Traditionally, when students have collected 10 affirmations they are handed into student services for processing and they are recognised in assembly with a Certificate of Commendation.

Our school utilises technology to support the teaching, learning and pastoral programmes that include Affirmations. Therefore, after much discussion and review with staff and students, the way in which students receive affirmations will change starting Term 2. This means affirmations will be entered into our Student Management System and students will receive an email with all the affirmation details.

Paper affirmations will expire at the end of the term and we will be transitioning from paper affirmations to electronic affirmations. Therefore, by the end of the term students must do the following:

Paper affirmations will be entered and processed for Certificates of Commendation if necessary.Any questions about House Girdles or Affirmations please ask you form teacher, dean, Mrs Miller or Miss Smith.